Back-Up (41 page)

***

I’ve been up all night, recanting all the mistakes I’ve made that led to this. I can’t bring myself to leave my bunk. I can hear the guys all chatting up front, reliving details of last night. I don’t hear Leila’s voice in the mix.

“He emerges.” Hunter calls out
when he sees me.

I ignore him and
knock on Leila’s door. She opens it slowly, barely looking at me when she does. It’s obvious she’s been crying.  My heart breaks from the pain I’m causing her. I can’t lose her. I would give everything up to avoid losing her.

“Can I come in?”

She moves aside and opens the door to allow me access. I move to the bed and immediately sit in preparation for the heartbreak I’m about to feel.

“Leila, I wish I could un-do wh
at I did. It was a huge mistake and now the person I love the most has to pay the price. I’m so sorry.”

Without warning, she launches herself onto my lap and into my arms
.

“I love you
, Jack.”

I cling to her
as if I was drowning and she was my life vest. I’m afraid if I let go she’ll change her mind.

“
I’ll support you, no matter what the results are.” She pulls away from my embrace. “Jack, I’m not going to lie, it hurts more than anything I’ve ever felt before, but it’s because I love you so much. I don’t want you keeping anything from me. No matter what it is, I need to know. No matter how bad. I’ll need you as much as you need me during this nightmare.”

“I promise
, no matter what.” I tighten my hold on her. “Leila, I don’t deserve you.”

I’ve never thought
how blessed my life was until now. I would move heaven and earth to make her happy. I would do anything, to keep her safe,
anything
.

I love her.

Leila and Jack’s story continues in Front & Center, coming soon.

Acknowledgements

Writing this book seems very surreal to me. Reading romance novels is definitely something I happen to be a professional at. The books I’ve read, allowed me to escape the stress and daily struggles of my busy life.

I am a textbook hopeless romantic.
I am also a stickler for realism. I love all the books I’ve read, but many left me thinking, “That would never happen.”

So I began imagining a love story that could happen. I filled it with all the factors I love in a romance, specifically, hot rock-stars. But most importantly, I wanted to create a book that was filled with fun, compelling and realistic characters that you could fall in love with.

The story of Back-up began in my head. Once I got serious and put words to paper, they flowed relentlessly. Every spare moment I had was used obsessively writing this book. Laundry, cooking, and other chores took a back seat, and I apologize to my family for the un-intentional neglect. 

I have so many people I want to thank for helping me finally put my dream into motion.

I thank my fantastic husband, who has been my best friend for the last twenty-six years. I thank my boys, who encouraged and rooted me on once they “accidentally” discovered my new project and obsession. I love these three men in my life more than life itself.

I thank my family who unknowingly supported me through this process. Their love
is a constant in my life. Thank you to all my friends who are the best group of people one could ever know. You have touched me in ways I’ll never be able to express. I love you all, and you all know what you mean to me. A huge thanks goes out to my reading buddy and romance novel confidant.  Your opinion and advice during this process has been invaluable to me.

Thank you Tres Cunningham
at custombookcover.com, and Sarah at Sprinkles on Top Studios for creating covers that captured my feelings perfectly. Thank you to Kathleen Y. at Swept Away by Romance Book Blog. Your advice and pointers are priceless to me. Our relationship began as a blogger who loved this new author’s book, but it blossomed into a true friendship. I adore you girl. To Nikki B. at Bookaholics Blog, Geri at Ever After Romance Book Blog, and Kathy at Panty Dropping Book Blog, thank you all so much. Not only were you the first to read and review my book, you all gave me invaluable advice. To Jake Bonsignore at Five Star Editing, I stumbled upon you and it was kismet. Thank you for editing Back-up. To all the authors who have fueled my love for a perfect romance, thank you for writing stories I became lost in. There are too many to name, but each and every book I’ve read touched my life in one way or another. Some helped in my own romance department, and my husband thanks you for that as well.

Thank you to all the musical inspirations that are a part of me. Bruce Springsteen’s music has influenced me since I was twelve years old. My Darkest Days, Linkin Park, Every Avenue, Journey, Pat Benatar, Led Zeppelin
, you music and lyrics helped me get through my long commute, every day for over two decades.

Finally, thank you
to my readers. If you walked away feeling as if you knew Jack, Leila and all the others, if you fell in love with them as much as I did, and if you enjoyed their story, then my goal as a writer has been met.  I can’t wait to continue their journey with you.